Mali: Denmark to withdraw troops amid dispute with junta

Denmark will pull its troops out of Mali, simply weeks after they arrived, following calls from the West African nation’s army authorities for his or her quick withdrawal, Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod mentioned on Thursday.

The Danish troopers had been planning to be a part of a global contingent combating in opposition to the Islamist insurgency that has unfold throughout a number of international locations within the Sahel area.

The junta rejected Copenhagen’s argument that it had been invited by ex-President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who was overthrown by the army in 2020.

“We can see that the Malian transitional government, or the coup generals, last night sent out a public statement where they again reiterated that Denmark is not welcome in Mali, and we, of course, will not put up with that. So therefore we have decided to withdraw our soldiers home,” Kofod mentioned from the Danish capital.

Denmark’s back-and-forth

Denmark had despatched round 100 army personnel in mid-January to be part of the Takuba Task Force that was arrange by European international locations to assist struggle so-called “Islamic State” and al-Qaida militants.

Copenhagen had despatched its troops below what it referred to as a “clear invitation” from Mali.

But the army authorities in Bamako expressed shock on the arrival of Danish troops, claiming that the EU nation’s request from June to deploy troops had not but been permitted.

The Danish Foreign Ministry claimed that it had additionally obtained approval from the junta, however a spokesperson for the army authorities refuted this and made calls, on each Monday and Wednesday, for the “immediate withdrawal” of Danish troops.

France — which as soon as dominated Mali as a colony — and the 14 different members of the Takuba drive urged Mali late on Wednesday to rethink its place.

Mali’s tough worldwide relations

Relations between Mali’s army authorities and the worldwide group have soured additional in latest months.

ECOWAS — the group of West African states — imposed new sanctions in opposition to the junta after it mentioned elections that had been promised for subsequent month could be pushed again till 2024.

Several EU member states concerned within the counter-insurgency operations have additionally been angered by the alleged presence of the Russian-backed non-public army group, the Wagner Group.

Tensions had been additional sparked after Bamako refused permission for a German army plane to fly over its airspace final week. UN peacekeeping flights had been additionally blocked for a number of days.

The scenario is a blow for France which is making an attempt to “Europeanize” its operations within the Sahel. It has 1000’s of troops within the area and has usually been the goal of common protests.

The transitional authorities lashed out at France on Wednesday after Paris tried to assist Denmark’s presence. The junta instructed Mali’s former occupier to finish its “colonial reflexes” and cease interfering.

ab/msh (Reuters, AFP, AP)

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